Synergistic necrotizing cellulitis after pneumonectomy.

Synergistic necrotizing cellulitis is a rapidly progressive infection of subcutaneous tissues and muscles. We report a rare case of synergistic necrotizing cellulitis of the chest wall occurring after a pneumonectomy in a patient without any predisposing factors. Despite rapid and aggressive treatment, the patient died in acute respiratory failure 28 h after the first signs of sepsis.